SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(John 15:16) "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
(John 15:5) "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
(John 15:1-4) (1) "I am the true vine, and my father is the husbandman." (2) "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." (3) "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." (4) "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."
(John 15:6-10) (6) "If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." (7) "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (8) "Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (9) "As the father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." (10) "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my father's commandments, and abide in his love."
PREFACE SUMMARY
Beloved, I found an old photo of some seagulls standing in line like children, three of them calmly sitting on the hood of my 18-wheeler, looking at me through the window. The calmness of these wild birds always fighting one another is something to see, especially how they are lined up like little schoolchildren to minister to a hurting man of God. This happened around 2008 near Salt Lake City, Utah, when I was going through some heartening trials that would put some people on a psychiatrist's couch.
Did you know abiding in Christ is the key to unlocking a fulfilling life? If you seek a life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment, look no further than abiding in Christ. Abiding in Christ isn't just about attending church or reading the Bible; it's a way of life. It means seeking God's will and following His guidance, even when it is difficult. Beloved, by embracing this lifestyle, you'll unlock the full potential of your faith and grow in spiritual maturity, enjoying all the benefits that come with it.
Beloved, to experience the abundant life, we must learn to abide in Christ, the true vine. To abide in Him, we must find a way into the vine. The good news is that God has provided a way for us to access the vine, and that way is through the precious blood of His dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In contemporary society, it has become increasingly common for individuals to seek God only in times of crisis or difficulty, treating Him as a mere backup plan for their lives. When we rely on God solely when we face challenges, we risk reducing our connection to Him to a transactional one, where faith can be manipulated for personal gain.
Beloved, when we pursue God's calling for our lives, we will experience spiritual growth. This is known as "The Prayer of the Five-Fold Blessing," which covers crucial areas such as relationships, emotions, and finances, including physical and spiritual well-being. When unsure how to pray for someone, we should confidently ask the Lord to bless them in every area of their life. We can rest assured that God will meet them exactly where they are and bless them abundantly.
"CHRIST THE VINE IS OUR SOURCE OF LIFE"
As we transition into this crucial part of our message, let us take a moment to reflect on our past experiences and the state of our hearts and minds before we encountered the transformative light of the gospel. Consider the challenges and doubts we faced, the moments of confusion and darkness that seemed to overshadow our lives, until the radiant message of salvation broke through, bringing clarity and purpose to our journey.
Beloved, did you know that the vine spoken of in the fifteenth chapter of St. John's gospel represents Christ, the very essence of life? Our connection to life is found in him; we cannot produce life alone outside of Christ the Vine.
Did you know our wonderful creator reveals his plan to redeem humanity through nature? It is fascinating that just like the blood running through our veins carrying the necessary oxygen and other nutrients we need to live, we get our life nutrients from abiding in Christ the Vine,
Let me share an inspiring article I read about how a vine grows. It creates a tricky spot for a branch to grow from, but the vine produces runners that cross to make a complex place in the form of a cross so that a branch can shoot forth.
These runners from the left grow to the right, and the ones from the right grow to the left, thus making a cross. This is a powerful reminder that the branch and the vine are joined at the cross.
(John 15:16) "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you."
My dear friends, let us never forget that Christ is the very essence of life. Through Him, we exist and have our being. We must strive for perfection and trust in God's promise that he will complete the work he started in us until the day of the Lord Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
It is abundantly clear from these scriptures that God has chosen us, and he did so even before the world began. Therefore, since God initiated the work in us, it is his responsibility to complete it. All that is required from us is to surrender our lives to him, abide in his love, and remain steadfast in his grace. Let us be confident in the knowledge that God will accomplish his work in us, and let us be bold in our faith and trust in him.
"MAINTAINING A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD"
Beloved, did you know that God's Holy Bible is the only book you will read that will read you? Did you know that to be successful in life, we need our spiritual connection to Christ the Vine?
Did you know that if a branch is cut off, the vine continues to live because the life is in the vine, not the branch? The branch needs the vine’s connection to live.
When we have arrived on our spiritual journey to a place where we are abiding in the love of Christ, we have been elevated to a place in God where we can receive fresh revelation and direction for each day. When we get into trouble, we can claim God's promise to be with us in trouble.
The bottom line of this message can be summed up with the words solitude and relationship: "For there to be life, there has to be conception, and for there to be conception, there has to be intimacy, and there can be no intimacy if we are not connected to the vine."
Is it not true that most people love their privacy and do not open their curtains and allow others to see what goes on inside the four walls of their home? The sacredness of what goes on in the house is between the man, the wife, and the children.
What goes on in the home requires trust and commitment. This is a time of intimacy where nothing is secret because both partners see and know everything about each other. They are not ashamed for their secrets to be known that way because they are bonded together under the covenant of marriage.
Do you remember the old saying, "What goes on in the home stays at home?" Therefore, the sacredness of family life requires trust and commitment between you and your wife.
Beloved, the same sacredness, commitment, and trust required in a marriage should also be present in our spiritual walk with God. When we come to know the Lord in an intimate relationship, learning what he likes and dislikes, we do not leave His presence and disclose what He has revealed to outsiders.
Did you know that in our most sacred, intimate times with our Lord, something will be spiritually conceived in us? Therefore, may we remember that this precious seed conceived in us must be hidden and protected as it goes through the growing process until it is ready to come forth.
Some of you are already pregnant with the plan and destiny the Living God has chosen for you. You are about to give birth, and what would be wrong with pausing and thinking about that precious life dropping into your spiritual birth canal?
God has a set time for all things to come forth, and this is why we must return to purity and holiness before our Creator. His word says that we are to follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
"LET OUR LIGHT SHINE FOR GOD"
Beloved, did you know that for a branch to live, flourish, and produce fruit, it must be connected to the vine? The vine gives the branch life; without the connection, the branch cannot grow fruit. We must abide in the vine (Christ) to partake of God's glory.
Jesus sought to share these profound spiritual truths with his disciples because it was essential for them to cultivate a strong relationship with God and with one another. Understanding these truths would help them strengthen their faith, promote harmony among themselves, and ultimately carry out the mission that Jesus entrusted to them.
Allowing Christ to live his life through us can be used by God to shine a light of hope on a confused world looking for answers. Therefore, if we love the Lord and have his love for souls deep within our hearts, we will abide in the vine and bear fruit.
Beloved, sometimes, we become confused, and our minds play tricks on us. Let's imagine ourselves in a dark room or cave with a pinhole of light shining in. If we have some matches with us, we can strike a match, and the flicker and flame of that little match can make all the difference in the world to us.
What little bit we do for God in this dark world looking for answers could be compared to the hope that the little match made in a desperate situation by giving light to show where everything was in the room.
When I accepted Christ into my life, his Spirit began a work of grace in me, and I became under new management. I am no longer my own but have been bought at a great price. God’s Spirit produces his character in my life, teaching me the preciousness of having an intimate working relationship with him by abiding in Christ the Vine.
My relationship with God is like no other. It is not based on material possessions, temporary friendships, or relationships. Instead, it is founded on an intimate connection with the one who planned every aspect of my life from the beginning to the end. My walk with God is a precious friendship that fills me with joy as I feel his life flowing through me, providing me with the daily encouragement and strength I need to carry on.
Abiding in Christ can bring you countless benefits that will enrich your life and improve your relationships with others. By staying connected to Christ, you will find inner peace, strength, and guidance to navigate life's challenges.
The Lord said in his word that his people perish without a vision. Therefore, discovering our purpose drives our vision, and knowing that God has a purpose for my life gives me an unshakable hope that acts as an anchor for my soul.
"ENTERING HIS PRESENCE"
It is essential to know that once we have discovered how to enter into God's presence, we must learn to abide in it. Once we learn to abide in His presence, we will understand more that our relationship with Him depends on how much we value and admire Him.
We worship God by praising Him with our voices. Our vocalized worship and praise can unleash God's presence, breaking the burdens that try to hold us captive. True worship captures God's attention and helps us focus on His love and sacrifice for us.
Spending time alone in solitude with God is crucial to hearing His voice and preaching His Word with authority and power. Jesus taught us the importance of prayer, encouraging us to seek a personal connection with God in private. In these quiet moments away from the world's distractions, we can fully experience God's love's protective and comforting embrace.
To be used by God, we must get past regular worship, filled with artificial forms and agendas that exemplify the flesh more than the creator. I am discussing when the church becomes more than good meetings and preaching. We will experience true revival when we get tired of church as the norm, with the world able to sit comfortably in our sessions without being convicted of their sins and way of life.
Our relationship with Christ should be our top priority because everything else, including people, places, and things, will one day end. Our relationship with Christ will determine how much God can trust us in the future.
When we enter into solitude and seek God's presence with our whole hearts, His word guarantees we will find Him. Through this message, God calls us to become instruments for His divine purpose.
Beloved, we must recognize that we cannot effectively minister to others without receiving and cultivating our love, wisdom, and strength. Through our experiences and understanding, we can genuinely offer support and guidance to those in need.
The Holy Scriptures reveal that great men of God trembled as they fell on their faces when they found themselves in the presence of the holy Angels of God. We can only imagine what it will be like to meet this awesome Eternal being one day and give an account of our lives.
Please know that we have been entrusted with the greatest news on Earth that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. Let us go out of the outer court of the sanctuary and into the inner court of His presence and grace. Let us be confident in the truth we have received and share it boldly with the world.
May we take a moment to thank God for all he has done for us and praise him for his amazing grace, available to all who will call upon his mighty name?
I love to tell people who approach me about my walk with Christ that they can drink from the same fountain I drink from and that the beloved is the fresh, clear water of the Holy Spirit by spending time with him in solitude.
We have been entrusted with the most significant news on Earth: that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. Let this message serve as a clarion call, a confident reminder of the truth we must share with the world.
If God has used this message to touch your heart, why not surrender your life to him today and have your name written in his book of life, which will grant you access to the vine so that you may reap the benefits that are described in this message, and If you should commit your life to Christ, please reach out to me and allow me to share in your new walk with God. You can get free PDF Book manuscript downloads from this website. www.withredhand.org
MY CONCLUSION
Beloved, abiding in Christ is a life-changing experience that offers many benefits. Throughout this message, we have discovered that abiding in Christ, the true vine, allows us to face life's challenges with courage and hope, knowing we are not alone. It also means we can experience the power of His love and grace in our daily lives because the benefits of abiding in Christ are truly profound and life-changing.
When believers stay connected to God through their personal relationship with Jesus Christ, they experience unparalleled spiritual growth, develop an unbreakable bond with God, and live a peaceful and fulfilling life that surpasses all understanding.
We must wake up to our calling and strip ourselves of the love of this world, including the love of self. We should turn to the Lord with our whole hearts, fast, and pray with tears until we hear from heaven, remembering that as believers, we are subject to Christ, the risen head of the church.
As a surrendered believer in Christ, we are not controlled by superstitions, curses, or charms. Though Satan is considered the god of this world, we are no longer under his authority or control.
Beloved, if we study Ephesians in the first chapter, the twenty-first verse, we will discover that the scripture mentioned here refers to Christ being raised from the dead and exalted far above all various orders of angels, demons, and powers.
(Ephesians 1:21) “Far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come:”
If we look at verses twenty-two and twenty-three, we will find that the scriptures clearly state that Paul is not speaking of church affiliation but Christ’s church on earth, which is his body made up of believers who have accepted him as their Lord and Savior. Instead, we are under new management and leadership if we abide in Christ.
(Ephesians 1:22) “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,” (23) “23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”
In June 2018, after returning from a mission trip in the Philippines, I was driving my truck on Interstate 90 in Montana. I noticed a young bald eagle gliding alongside my passenger side mirror, which amazed me. Unfortunately, I didn't have my phone nearby to capture a photo of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Soon after, the Lord's presence became very strong in my truck, and I heard the voice of His Spirit asking me to rewrite one of my old books about the True Vine. I informed the Lord that I had given the manuscript to others, and they had written books from it. But He replied in my spirit, "I want you to rewrite it."
I said, "Lord, give me something to write." He replied, "Strength through the Vine." I instantly thought of the eagle's molting period, especially after having an eagle just minutes before this visitation from the Lord glide beside my truck.
God confirmed His word to me through the voice of His Spirit and the actual occurrence of a young eagle gliding beside my truck at more than sixty miles an hour. He has given me a need to rewrite that book. I will never forget what happened when I asked for something else, and He replied, "The Test of Strength."
Beloved, I instantly had a vision of what happens when you squeeze toothpaste. Suddenly, a thought entered my mind, clarifying what people see when they squeeze us the wrong way.
We can tell a seasoned leader who is ready to lead by watching how they conduct themselves in the presence of others. A true leader understands the value of teamwork and the importance of leading by example instead of using the authority granted to them by their position.
We cannot live in the past and draw from our future. King David said, "Let us look to the hills of the Lord from which cometh our help and strength." He was not speaking about the mountains around him, from which he could see the campfires of his enemies surrounding him.
I cherish my close walk with God and appreciate that He is interested in me. When He wakes me up around three to pray, I respectfully approach Him. I wear a shirt, wash my face, brush my teeth, and comb my hair before the King of the universe.
I get a Bible from my bookcase, turn on some soft worship music, and place a pillow before my chair where I have carefully placed my Bible. Sometimes, you may want to put your open bible on your chest and begin to talk to God, asking Him to guide you into His plan and purpose for your life.
Beloved, sometimes, my God is so real to me that when I cut myself a piece of cake, I find myself cutting Him one, too. The Holy Spirit seems excited because God stated in His Word that He would withhold no good thing from us. He declares that it is His good pleasure to give us the mysteries of the Kingdom.
MY CLOSING PRAYER
Father, I ask that you bless each person who, through this message, has surrendered more of their life to your purpose. Lord, I ask that you bless them spiritually, financially, physically, relationally, and emotionally so that their life may be enriched, and they will, in turn, enrich the lives of others.
Lord, I ask that you awaken the gifts and talents placed in them from birth so that they may become unified in the faith with other believers, realizing the need to work together in harmony as a fine-tuned orchestra in your hands.
Father God, please forgive us for failing to remember that you know our needs before we ask, and Lord, we need your divine guidance to walk fully in your blessing and goodness as you lead us by your Spirit to divine appointments. I am confident that you will deliver us from evil and temptation.
Lord, I am confident that we can find rest in knowing that we can depend on you, our God, "Our Father," to come on the scene to direct our path and guide our footsteps.
Father, I pray you will stir us up and burden our hearts for true revival in every country worldwide. Lord, demonstrate to the people in these countries that you are the Unchanging God, for your word declares it. What you were yesterday, you are today.
Dear Lord, please help those needing deliverance from oppressing spirits, including illnesses that may be attacking their bodies, be set free by your Holy Spirit. Father, according to your blessed Holy word, I am confident you will raise a standard against these attacks and deliver these precious people in Jesus' mighty name.
Lord, I pray that the power of your written and spoken word be activated through this prayer. I apply the following scriptures to my prayer (John 16:23), believing that you have heard and answered me according to your divine will and purpose, for it is in Jesus' mighty name I pray and ask these favors. A-Men
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
